Life's Resolution

By Amy Shannon

Matt O'Roark makes a horrifying discovery at his sister's house. As the news travels around the town, everyone is forced to look at their history and their present lives. Things will never be the same for the members of the large extended family. Things are definitely not as they seem, and how things are perceived can make a world of difference.

The resolution of the written, the unwritten, destiny, and the life that lies ahead. Live, love and cherish both. Destiny is not the end, but the paths of fate that it takes to come to the resolution of one's life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215582466

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Resolution

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Matt O'Roark makes a horrifying discovery at his sister's house. As the news travels around the town, everyone is forced to look at their history and their present lives. Things will never be the same for all the members of the large extended family. Things are definitely not as they seem, and how things are perceived can make a world of difference.

The resolution of the written, the unwritten, destiny, and the life that lies ahead. Live, love and cherish both. Destiny is not the end, but the paths of fate that it takes to come to the resolution of one’s life.

1 Prelude

DR. RAINA MARKUM sat down on her bed and held her husband’s hand. Terry opened his eyes. Doc?

How are you feeling?

My chest still feels tight.

I know. I’m starting to feel the effects, too, she lay down next to him.

This isn’t suicide, is it? Terry asked.

"No, Baby, it’s not. We just both decided to stop the Rejuvenix. That’s all. What we’re feeling is our bodies’ way of catching up to our age."

How long?

I don’t know. We’ll feel like crap for a while and then, it should stop. We need to rest and continue to live our life. We can’t just lie in bed and wait to die.

Do you know when our time should’ve been?

She kissed him softly. No, it’s not set in stone. After everything that has happened in the past few years, it’s only right that we finally let nature take its course, she curled up to him.

Do I keep taking the Latix? Terry asked.

Yes, please. I don’t want to lose you to a heart attack. I don’t want your heart to fail you, Baby, she kissed his mouth softly.

I’m a little afraid.

So, am I, she held him. We’ll just see what happens. Baby, life catches up with all of us. All of our family. We’re the oldest generation now in our family. Momma, Daddy, Mike, Uncle Steven, Mark, Evan, Matthew, all gone now. They reached the end of their lifetime and are now living their ever after lifetime. They’ve joined the rest of our family in the ever after life.

Doc, I love you so much. What about our children?

They will live on, as will our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Raina gazed into his eyes. Do you feel like getting up right now?

No. I’m very tired. Exhausted. Did you tell Matt?

I told him that we were stopping the rejuvenation drugs. I think he understood.

I hope so. I don’t want him doing something stupid, Terry said.

He won’t. He’ll always be able to feel me. Like us all, we just cherish every day we have together on this earth and every moment we’ll have after we’re gone, she kissed him softly.

Terry gazed in her eyes. Doc, I feel it.

She placed her hand on his heart. Terry, not yet, please, she cried.

I’m so tired, he closed his eyes.

Raina laid her head on his chest and held him tightly. I’ll be there, soon, she cried, as the tears streamed down her cheek.

Matthew O’Roark

2 Discovery

MATT O’ROARK STOOD in his living room and stared at the photos that haunted his mantel. He picked up the photo of his wife. Kat, this isn’t right. Why did you leave me here all alone? I don’t want to be alone. There isn’t anyone left, he cried, as there was a knock on the door. Wearily, he answered the door. What are you all doing here?

Kaylee Carleno smiled at her father. Dad, we’re worried about you.

All of you? Matt asked.

Police Chief James O’Roark and his brother, Jason, smiled. Dad, you’ve been cooped up in this house for a while now. We know how much you loved Mom, but you can’t just sit in this dark house, James said.

Everyone we love is gone, he sobbed, as he sat on the sofa. I feel so alone. Mom and Dad. Gone. Matthew. Gone. Three parents. My three parents are dead. Uncle Steven is dead. Mark, Mike, and Evan died … trying to save Matthew and Steven. They all died. It’s not fair. To top it off, your mother goes and dies on me, on us.

Kaylee touched her father’s cheek. Daddy, I know how much it hurts. You feel guilty for being alive. You’re not mad at them for being dead, are you?

No, but … me and Ray … we’re the oldest generation of our family. We never thought that it would ever happen. Now, she wants to grow old and die, and…

What do you mean? Jason asked.

Well, she and Terry are the only ones that still take that drug … the one that slows the aging process. They want nature to take its course.

Dad, maybe it’s their destiny or fate to grow old and die. How many times did Uncle Terry get shot or have a heart attack, but he didn’t die? How many times did Aunt Raina get so sick … so sick that we almost lost her? Maybe it’s almost their time, Kaylee said.

I understand wanting to just live life, but I don’t want to be alone. My sister is my other half. In the past few days, I feel like I’ve lost that. I can’t explain it.

Have you talked to Aunt Raina about it? James asked.

No, I haven’t seen them in about a week. I know they took some time off to be together, but I haven’t seen them. I didn’t want to bother them.

Dad, do you think they’re OK? Jason asked.

Why? Matt asked.

The newspapers are piling up on the porch. Both of their cars are in the driveway, Jason said.

Maybe we should check on them, James said, as there was a knock on the door.

Matt stood up and answered it Starr? What’s wrong?

Something … horrible… Starr Haskell cried, as she tried to catch her breath.

What is it? Matt asked, as his children joined him.

I went to Mom and Dad’s. I was about to knock on the door when I smelled it.

What was it?

I can’t place it, but I’ve never smelled something so horrible. The window was open a crack. The door is locked. I looked in the window, but nothing was disturbed. I’m worried.

I have the emergency pin for the keypad, Matt said. I’ll check it out, he slowly limped out the door and across the driveway to his sister’s house. He entered the pin and unlocked the door. He stepped back and covered his mouth the second he opened the door. He looked back at Jason, Kaylee, James, and Starr. Stay where you are! he yelled.

He covered his nose and mouth with his shirt and slowly headed into the house. He made his way up the stairs and toward the master bedroom. Raina? Terry? he called but there was no answer.

He opened the door and stared at his sister and her husband, in their bed, curled up next to one another. He shook his head and walked over to the bed. He covered their entire bodies with the blanket. He picked up the phone on the bedside stand. This is Matt O’Roark. I need the M.E here at one Angel Lane. I found the bodies of Dr. Raina Markum and her husband, Terrence Markum, he hung up the phone and turned around.

MOM! DAD! Starr cried, as she ran over to the bed.

Matt grabbed her. No, you don’t need to see them this way.

Matt? she cried, as she dropped to her knees. What happened?

I don’t know. I’m sorry, but it looks like they’ve been here for a few days like this. I called the M.E.

Oh, god. I have … I have to call my brothers… she cried hysterically.

Matt looked at James. Take her outside. Kaylee, call Logan, Xander, and Marcus.

Dad? Jason said.

Give Elliot a call. His wife needs him right now, Matt said. I’ll stay here with them until Seth arrives.

James put his arm around his cousin and led a hysterical Starr outside the house, with Jason and Kaylee following.

Kaylee pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and walked to the end of the porch. Honey, it’s me. You need to get over to Uncle Terry’s house, right now.

Kay? What is it? Joshua Carleno asked.

I’m sorry, honey. I don’t want to say it over the phone.

What happened to my brother? Joshua asked.

Dad … um … we went to check on Aunt Raina and Uncle Terry. They were dead in their bedroom.

Oh, god. I’ll be right there. I’ll be right there, Joshua hung up.

Matt stood over the bed and shook his head. No, Ray, it wasn’t your time, he sighed, as the white light appeared in front of him. Mom?

Matthew, it’s all right, the late Alex O’Roark’s spirit appeared in front of him.

Why, Mom?

I’m not sure. Just don’t let it hurt you.

When will it be my time? I can’t bear anymore loss, Mom, Matt cried.

Oh, Matt, we’re so sorry that you’re feeling all this pain. Soon, you won’t feel the pain anymore. I promise. You need to promise me something, though.

What is it? he wiped his eyes.

Don’t take your own life. Please. If you do, you won’t be with us; you won’t be with Kathryn or Kayla. You won’t see Raina or Terry or anyone else in our family.

I don’t want to live anymore.

Yes, you need to. You are the head of the family. Your children. Your grandchild needs you. Raina’s children and grandchildren need you. They need your strength.

I’m not strong. Never was. That was always Raina.

Alex shook her head. No, it was always you. I love you, Matthew.

Mom?

Yes, son?

Are they … are Terry and Raina together?

Yes, they are. Soon, not now, but soon, you may see your sister again. You two are always connected, Alex said, as she faded into her own light.

Um, sir? a voice said from behind.

Matt turned around. Oh, Seth. Please be careful with them. I’m pretty sure it was natural causes.

I talked to Dr. Welch. He wants the bodies sent to the lab. Here, put this mask on, Dr. Seth Raymond said, as he handed Matt a mask and put on his own.

I don’t want them experimented on. I don’t care what he wants, Matt said, as he put the mask on.

That’s not why. He wants to perform the autopsy on both of them. He put in a special request. Actually, the request originally came from your sister.

I don’t get it. Why?

Well, it comes down to her life. She put in a formal request that if she or her husband ever die, no matter what the outward cause of death is, that one of her staff members, particularly Dr. Martin Welch, perform the autopsy.

Oh, I’m sorry. Please, go ahead. Do you need any help?

Marcus is outside with the rest of the family. I don’t know if he should see his parents this way.

Do you have gloves? I can help you lift them, Matt said.

My assistants are outside. Are you sure?

I’m sure the family is crowding outside. I want to help take care of my sister and Terry. I don’t want their kids to see them like this.

I understand. The gurneys are outside the room, Seth went into the hallway.

Matt slowly removed the blanket and rolled it up, while Seth rolled in the gurneys that contained the body bags. Matt looked at Seth. Um, I don’t think we can separate them.

Seth walked around the bed and examined the bodies. No, I don’t think it’s wise, either. I’m sorry, Matt. I have to get help. I don’t think we can lift both of them together. I also have to get a large body bag.

Um, I have an idea. We’ll use the bed sheet to lift them, and then we’ll just recover them with the blanket.

All right. Are you ready? Seth asked.

Let me just remove the pillows, Matt said, as he carefully pulled the pillows out from under their heads. The two men slowly untucked the sheet and lifted the bodies onto the gurney. Matt took the blanket and covered them up from head to toe. Slowly, the two men rolled the gurney out of the room and carried it down the stairs.

As they rolled the gurney slowly out of the house, Logan and Alexander Xander Markum ran over to them. Let me see them, please, Logan cried.

Matt shook his head. No, you don’t need to see them this way. Please.

Why? Xander asked.

They’ve been dead for at least a few days. Please, let Seth take them to the lab, Matt said.

They’re my parents, Xander sobbed.

I know, son. I know. Please, Martin is waiting to take care of them. You can’t say good-bye this way.

Joshua ran over to Matt. Are you sure it’s them? he cried.

Who else would it be? Matt spat. I’m sorry, he helped Seth load them into the coroner’s van. Matt turned around and looked at his family. I’ll help you all get through this. I know we all want answers, but we have to wait for Martin.

Kaylee squeezed her husband’s hand. Daddy? What do we do now? she cried, as she wiped her eyes.

Um, he looked around. Let’s meet in the great room at the Healer’s State Hospital. I’m not leaving until I get answers about their deaths.

Starr sat on the front steps and buried her face in her hands as her husband, Special Victim Unit Captain Elliot Haskell hurried over to her. Starr?

Honey, they’re both gone. How could this happen? she hugged him tightly.

Where did everyone go? he asked.

The hospital. I just need to sit here for a moment.

How did they die? Elliot asked.

I don’t know. Martin is performing the autopsy. I don’t know how he could do it. He and Mom were best friends.

Does Carey know? Elliot asked.

Jason was calling the family. I still have to call CJ and Sarah. How do I tell them that their grandparents are dead?

I don’t know. We’re still getting over the loss of Matthew, Steven, Mike, Mark, Evan, and Kathryn.

Starr held her husband. We still don’t know who killed them. Kat died of cancer, and now, Mom and Dad are gone.

Do you want to go home? Elliot asked.

No, let’s go to the hospital. I want answers, too.

Are your brothers there?

I think so, Starr cried.

Doctor Martin Welch

3 Answers

DR. MARTIN WELCH stood up as Dr. Seth Raymond and Dr. Marcus Markum wheeled the gurney into the room. What’s going on? Martin asked.

Um, I’m sorry, sir, we couldn’t separate the bodies, Seth said.

All right, please lift them on the table, here, Martin said.

Slowly, Marcus and Seth lifted the decaying bodies of Raina and Terry. Without saying another word, the two men headed out into hallway.

Seth looked at his best friend. Marcus, I’m so sorry.

"I don’t get it. Why are they dead? How are they dead? They only went off the Rejuvenix last week."

Martin will find the answers, I hope, Seth said. Let’s join your family.

I have to call my wife, Marcus said. I’ll be there shortly.

Martin slowly lifted the blanket off their bodies. He carefully folded the blanket and placed it on a nearby table. He stared down at the bodies and shook his head. I know I told you I’d get answers, but I don’t know if I can do this. Ray, this wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s too soon. There’s no way it would be this short, he carefully pulled the hose and slowly started to wash the bodies down. He stood over the bodies and started to remove samples for testing. He placed them on slides. He, then, proceeded to autopsy both of them.

After he closed up the final incision on Terry’s body, he shook his head and stared into the small metal basin. I knew it. I knew something was wrong, he sat down in the chair and stared in the lifeless face of his best friend. Ray, why? Why don’t you have the gene, too? I can’t help but see you like this. I’m so sorry. You deserved to die with dignity, not like this, he cried, as he buried his face in his hands.

Raina stood in the doorway of the lab.

Dr. Welch?

Martin turned around. Yes, Dr. Markum, what is it?

She smiled slightly. Can I talk to you for a minute?

Of course. What is it?

Raina walked into the lab and sat on the stool next to Martin. She took his hands. Martin, please, please, please, forgive me.

He smiled slightly. And?

And? What the hell do you mean by and?

He laughed. Ray, I miss you.

I miss you, too. I know I’ve been difficult to deal with. I do miss you so much.

"Ray, it’s not your fault. You were blaming yourself for the loss of our death onset drugs. Al’s death. Everything. I understand